M.L. King, Tucker emerge in 6-AAAAA; Warner Robins, Northside tune up for showdown

Here are five of the big stories from Week 10 in Class AAAAA:

*Region 6-AAAAA title picture a little clearer: M.L. King (8-0, 7-0) and Tucker (7-1, 6-1) moved to the top of the crowded field in the 6-AAAAA championship chase with victories on Friday against Stephenson and Miller Grove, respectively, and set up a huge matchup for next weekend when the Lions and Tigers meet at Hallford Stadium. A victory would give M.L. King the region title. Tucker will win the region if it beats M.L. King and then Mays the following weekend. Both should reach the playoffs. Miller Grove, Stephenson, Mays and Southwest DeKalb all have two or three region losses and will fight for the other two playoff spots.

*It’s rivalry week in Warner Robins: Northside and Warner Robins improved to 5-0 in 2-AAAAA on Friday to set up next week’s showdown that will determine the Region 2-AAAAA champion. Northside recorded its second consecutive shutout and fourth overall in beating Greenbrier 35-0. Warner Robins scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat Grovetown 35-14. Warner Robins leads the city rivalry 33-21, but Northside has won nine of the past 11.

*First victory for Cambridge: The first-year school in Milton collected the first victory in the program’s brief history when the Bears beat North Springs 45-13. Cambridge had been outscored by an average of 44-9 during its 1-7 start. It was the 31st consecutive loss for North Springs, which hasn’t won a game since a 39-6 loss to Stone Mountain on Oct. 16, 2009 was overturned by forfeit.

*First victory for Winder-Barrow in a very long time: The Bulldoggs snapped what had been the longest active losing streak of any Class AAAAA team – 31 games – when they beat Cedar Shoals 31-21. Winder-Barrow had not won since beating Monroe Area 48-41 on Oct. 9, 2009. “It’s been a long time coming,” Winder-Barrow’s Soloman Sims told the Barrow Journal. “Needless to say, a victory feels really good.”

*Subregion title still up in the air: Union Grove took sole possession of first place in 4-AAAAA Division A with a 35-13 victory over Mundy’s Mill, but the Wolverines need to beat Drew next week to secure the subregion title. Drew will win the title if it beats Union Grove and Mundy’s Mill loses to Ola. Victories by Drew and Mundy’s Mill would create a three-way tie for first place.

136 comments Add your comment

Decatur joe

October 29th, 2012
2:24 pm

Who does mays have left on their schedule?

RealisticFan

October 29th, 2012
2:47 pm

East Pauldimg Coaches: Now is your time to shine.

You have been given the keys to a Ferrari and you’ve got to stop grinding the gears. You have at your disposal a community that loves and supports the team from, money to attendance and beyond. You have been left a wonderfully stocked program including one of the best weight facilities in the state, and talent across the roster. Big strong agile linemen a product of the weigh room for 5 years. Quick receivers a D1 tight end, an absolute hammer for a fullback, one of the top RBs in the state, quick Wes and kick return mean, aggressive good tackling LBs, stud def linemen, a potential all state kicker and here is the cherry on top of it all. You have a Junior QB whose athletic accomplishments have been near legendary in Paulding county since he was 7 or 8. he started as a freshmanat free safety becaus he was too good to keep off the field. He led his team to the quarter finals last year as a sophomore and now nearing then end of his junior year and near 20 starts he has earned the right to take one more of the role he has been destined for for years. Coaches, pleas take the shackles off #15 and let him show you how smart you coaches are. Kyler ans Kamani are wonderful runners, but when then opposition can stack 8-9 in the box every play because you only use play action 6-9 times a game to throw the ball you are using the X factor that Mitch Webb has and that is his Tebow like running and option skills. You have to trust more of the offense to him. He has a fantastically strong arm, can sense pressure better now, and above all has been the leader of this same group of kids since grade school. Give him the ball and let him do what we all know he can do.

rwdekalb

October 29th, 2012
3:22 pm

@Decatur joe. Mays has Tucker and Stephensen left to play.

dekalbcounty football

October 29th, 2012
4:07 pm

I would like to inform everyone KNOW. MLK petition to move up this year. But the DeKalb County AD WAITED to LATE! MLK has always played above since they started playing a varsity schedule. Why would they be scared now? They away games were truly away games. This year our away games are vistor side of Haliford.

. RealisticFan

October 29th, 2012
4:33 pm

I will not blog with my iPhone and auto predictive text on again.
I will not blog with my iPhone and auto predictive text on again.
I will not blog with my iPhone and auto predictive text on again.
I will not blog with my iPhone and auto predictive text on again.
I will not blog with my iPhone and auto predictive text on again.

JAB

October 29th, 2012
4:45 pm

ALL Of the Tucker fans including you TuckerDad shhhhhhhhh. (quiet) please, stop with all of the Stephenson bashing, Stephenson B**E**A**T YOU!!! The thing is after MLK black your lights out on Friday & Stephenson beat Mays and N. Atlanta, The reigning champs comes down from the state’s highest classification will remain #1 and #2 in region 6AAAAA… BELIEVE THAT’ YOU HEARD!! ;)

JAB

October 29th, 2012
4:49 pm

@ Much Love to region 6AAAAA, my new rankings

MLK (region champs)
Stephenson
Tucker
Miller Grove or SWD or Mays (this is going to be a dog fight for the 4th spot, but I gotta give SWD the inside shot because of the legendary Coach Buck Godfrey)****

JAB

October 29th, 2012
4:52 pm

@ Tucker DAD & Tiger4Life, you will be fighting for the #2 or #3 spot every year now that Stephenson and MLK are here, YOU HEARD!!!

5AReg6Fan

October 29th, 2012
5:19 pm

Let’s settle this talk about teams with perceived young talent. For many years, most HS football teams are made up of freshmen, sophomore, juniors, & seniors. The different is, most of the successful PROGRAMS, younger players are being prep for their time, either on the practice field (scout team), freshmen & JV games and the occasion varsity game in mop up time. This formula usually leads to a football program consistent high level play and winning attitude. Grant it, there are occasional above average HS younger talent, that is ready to step in on Friday Nights, but that’s a rarity at the BIG school levels, i.e. 6A, 5A & 4A.

Also, I don’t think any blogger(s), who truly understand and embraces HS football would make EXCUSSES for a lost, on their team being young. If anything, they should be letting others, know there is more talent coming in the near future.

Looking at this year’s JV results, the next varsity players, Tucker should remain as one of the TOP varsity football team, challenging for region titles and deep playoff runs:

Tucker 32 – MLK 22
Tucker 20 – Stephenson 12
Tucker 12 – SWD 0

It appears the JV Tigers won the region championship and Nov 2nd their older brothers handled their business. Damn, them Tucker Tigers keep coming year after year after year. (LOL)

“WE ARE TUCKER”

REGION 6, the best in GA 2012 5A Football……

JAB

October 29th, 2012
5:30 pm

@ 5AReg6Fan, for JV ball , that’s not a big enough difference in the margin of wins to declare Tucker the top dog in Region 6AAAAA, in JV you allow 9th graders to get into the game fro experience even if they are not that good…

5AReg6Fan

October 29th, 2012
5:32 pm

JAB – Yep and one of those highest classification teams lost to an original member of the lower classification region 6. When post season kicks off, we’ll see how much LOVE you have for region 6. Like I said in my pre-season post, and I haven’t had to waver, like some others, no names will be mention to protect the innocence. (LOL) 5A region 6 post season order:

TIGERS
LIONS
JAGUARS
PANTHERS

“WE ARE TUCKER”

REGION 6, the best in GA 2012 5A Football……

5AReg6Fan

October 29th, 2012
5:48 pm

@JAB – I just listed why successful programs come at you year after year. Winning tradition is molded on LaVista Rd. Another thing, isn’t it a good formula to allow 9th grades an opportunity grow? I don’t know about Stephenson, but at Tucker, I’ve seen 9th grades, who couldn’t put on shoulder pads correctly, now playing on Saturday. The Tiger DEN breeds yearly and with that, Tucker may not win the region yearly, but if you want to be crown region champs, you will circle the game you have to play Tucker.

“WE ARE TUCKER”

REGION 6, the best in GA 2012 5A Football……

JAB

October 29th, 2012
5:48 pm

@ 5ARegFan incase you can’t see or have read the future AJC standing that will come out on Nov. 5th, so here it is again!!!

@ Much Love to region 6AAAAA, my new rankings

MLK (region champs)
Stephenson
Tucker
Miller Grove or SWD or Mays (this is going to be a dog fight for the 4th spot, but I gotta give SWD the inside shot because of the legendary Coach Buck Godfrey)****

;)

JAB

October 29th, 2012
5:49 pm

GET USE TO IT TUCKER TIGERS…

Tiger4Life

October 29th, 2012
5:53 pm

I can see it now !!!

After Tucker is hoisting The AAAAA Trophy at the end of the season with a 14- 1 record @JAB is going be say

Well we beat them in the regular season, we coulda/shoulda “IF” we did this/that

LOL

kick some grass

October 29th, 2012
6:02 pm

@ RealisticFan- Well said! If the team that showed up against Rome shows up against Allatoona it will be a short night; however if the team that showed up against Hiram/South we might be in trouble. Let Mitchell lead the team. He’s a great passer when given a chance.

#50JLowderNorthsideClassof1998

October 29th, 2012
7:26 pm

@TJ Morris I believe our eagles will beat the demons, but by 4 touchdowns is a bit much. Yes we have a stout Defense but so does Warner Robins, yes we have an explosive pick your poison offense but warner Robins has a great running game. We will need to play disciplined defense and set the tone from the beginning. We are ranked #1 because we have played good football so far but let’s not take them lightly. Coach Kinsler will make sure the Eagles don’t take them lightly either. So let’s get a demon! Northside 28 – Warner Robins 10

swatguy

October 29th, 2012
7:29 pm

@rwdekalb @JAB You guys need to check your math. A win for Mays over Stephenson puts Mays in the playoffs, PERIOD. Mays would have the tiebreaker over MG, and Stephenson. If MG wins against SWD Stephenson is out. If SWD wins, the next week determines their fates.

Mays only have two region loses. Check your math.

Old Gold Panther

October 29th, 2012
8:27 pm

@ swat guy it still not that simple, a win vs Stephenson doesn’t clinch a spot for Mays if SWD wins.

Mays would still have to beat Tucker to clinch. If Mays loses to Tucker it would create a tie-breaker situation of some type depending who wins the last week of the season between SWD, Stephenson, MG.

Looking at the final week schedule
Stephenson vs N. Atlanta (stephenson wins easily)
SWD vs Dunwoody (SWD wins easily)
MG vs MLK (I give edge to MLK)

If that scenario happens its a three way tie for the 3rd and 4th spot with MG being eliminated
If MG beats MLK it would be a 4 way tie for the 3rd and 4th spots

swatguy

October 29th, 2012
9:22 pm

@Old Gold Panther Ok here it is. Mays beat Stephenson, Mays will finish with 3 loses at most. AT MOST. Stephenson will have 3 thus Mays wins that tiebreaker.

MG wins out it gives SWD 4 loses (thus eliminiated).

If SWD beats MG, MG has 3 loses. Mays wins the tiebreaker over MG.
So (this is soooo hard) Mays win they have the tiebreaker over Stephenson and MG, If MG beat SWDs SWD stays home.

Why is this so hard to understand?

Old Gold Panther

October 29th, 2012
9:34 pm

@ swat guty…

“If SWD beats MG, MG has 3 loses. Mays wins the tiebreaker over MG.”

yea but if Mays loses to Tucker, Mays then have 3 losses and then SWD( also with 3 losses) has the Tie breaker with Mays. Therefore creating a tie-beaker situation.

Old Gold Panther

October 29th, 2012
9:37 pm

and if Stephenson beats Notrh Atlanta after losing to Mays they would also have 3 losses and the tie breaker over SWD, so they would be in the picture as well…like I said

swatguy

October 29th, 2012
10:05 pm

@ Old Gold Panther I see more clear. Here is hope that MG beats SWD and Mays defeats Stephenson. There will be some hearts broken these last two games.

JAB

October 29th, 2012
10:35 pm

@ swatguy, GIVE ME SOME OF THAT YOU DRINKING, “if” THAT’S A BIG IF , IF YOU THINK THAT MAYS IS GOING TO BEAT STEPHENSON, YOU MUST SOME BAD STUFF! MAN BE REAL, SWD GETS THE FINAL SPOT; IT’S AN ALL DEKALB PLAYOFF BROTHER, BELIEVE THAT*** NOTE: MLK WILL BEAT TUCKER AND THAT WOULD GIVE STEPHENSON THE #2 SPOT… YOU HEARD ME!!! ;)

JAB

October 29th, 2012
10:40 pm

@ swatguy, I know that MAYS is ATL. school system pride & joy school, one of their elite schools in athletics, but playing in 6AAAAA with the big boyz, they’re playing out of its’ league***** ;)

JAB

October 29th, 2012
10:46 pm

5AReg6Fan, Stephenson has always played 9th graders as well! All I’m saying is that you (Tucker) will no longer rule the region, you thought Marist put it to you, now you got MLK & Stephenson to deal with year in and year out! YOUR MOTTO SHOULD NOW READ:
“WE ARE TUCKER”
loosers to stephenson high jaguars
REGION 6, the (3RD) best in GA 2012 5A Football……

Dekalb All the Way

October 29th, 2012
11:35 pm

JAB…I think I have to agree with you on that! Tucker have not seen the passing attack that MLK has, now matched with a brutal running attack! Don’t argue, they will just have to see the hard way! I think the region will remain with MLK #1 and SHS#2!!! Tucker will have to travel this year, first round!!!

Reeze

October 30th, 2012
7:40 am

I think Tucker bounces back with a 28 14 win over MLK.

THE "CANNON RULES"!!

October 30th, 2012
8:18 am

@RealisticFan & kick some grass…

Let me also agree with ya’ll!!! What is wrong with this coach (or staff)…How can he (they) NOT see the talent they are surrounded by!!! Keep trying to “re-invent” this team and we are in for many more HIRAM / SOUTH type games…Turn them loose and we get more ROME style games!!!

IT’S SIMPLE…Let EAST play EAST football…OPEN up the offense, the “D” will handle the other team let the OFFENSE shine behind the leadership of Mitchell Webb!!!

This weeks game against LITHIA SPRINGS gives the Coach’s an excellent opportunity to turn the offense loose and let them “tune-up”…they will need EVERY weapon we got next week in “THE BONEYARD” when ALLATOONA comes to visit!!!

BE SMART COACH’S…Don’t be Forrest Gump…remember “STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES!”

TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!!

. RealisticFan

October 30th, 2012
9:51 am

@Cannon

I’ve only seen East play twice this year, (North and Rome). North game seemed like a typical first game and there was an obviously very conservation game plan. I get it….. then I kept reading about how they were sloppy and unfocused and was worrying. So I come out and watch them put a beat down on Rome in one of the best games they have ever played and see Webb throwing on target on all 8 passes he thru. All three incompletions were on the money long balls that were dropped, two for probable touchdowns. The five he did complete, the first was a designed rollout he completed fort a first down on the run, and the other four all went for touchdowns. I was wanting to see more but when you are scoring at will on the ground and through the air it is hard to say they should be throwing it more. All in all I’m like…… Cool they have it figured out.

Then come the South game(not taking anything from them, or intended disrespect), but it sounds like the coaches went back to week 1 play calling. Maybe…..just maybe…. And I’m hoping the coaches are doing it be design to not give up too much for opponents on tape. Where I’d the wildcat formation go?, you need be able to execute your entire playbook and the only way to become efficient at it is by doing so in real games. I say, put it out there on tape, don’t keep it under wraps. We have the senior leadership and the QB to impose our will on teams, so lets do it and stop trying to be to tricky by only using the portion of the playbook the coaches ‘think’ is needed to get through a game.

. RealisticFan

October 30th, 2012
10:11 am

@Cannon

I’ll put one word of caution out here about Lithia Springs. Having now seen all except Villa Rica and Allatoona play, I will give Lithia Springs a lot of credit. They are the absolute hardest hitting team I’ve seen play in the region. They play HARD nosed football and and given the opportunity then will put you on your backside. They’d re 1-7, and probably the best 1 win team I’ve seen. Their issue isn’t with heart or effort it is purely a lack of talent. They simply can’t match up and put up enough points to put a real scare in East. Yes East will win the game but they will definitely be sore the next day. It is a good game to buckle down quick and put the score out of reach early. No use getting someone hurt by needing to play the starters too long.

dekalbcounty football

October 30th, 2012
10:15 am

@5AReg6Fan please understand there are NO playoffs for JV games. Sure coaches should look at those games as a indicator for upcoming players. If you did LOOK at the scores even though Tucker JV beat Stephenson, but lost to its Varsity?

Tiger4Life

October 30th, 2012
10:29 am

@Dekalb all the way

As I stated on another blog, it’s not a passing attack. What MLK do is called “throw it up and my guy should come down with it” They are not taught to read the defenses over there. Just check the record and look at the film. Time after time the QB throws to the guy in double coverage when it’s a guy wide open, the WR just makes a play on the ball over a less athletic player. It WILL NOT take you to DOME.

This is proven by this evidence…

Jonquel Dawson from ML King holds 2nd place in the STATE with 8,798 yds. passing and 93 passings touchdowns for a career and he DID NOT have ONE D1 offer.

uncleJunior

October 30th, 2012
10:48 am

If Dawson was 6′5″ he would have been sought by many D1 schools

uncleJunior

October 30th, 2012
10:48 am

Trust me!!!!

eaglenationrising

October 30th, 2012
11:07 am

#1 Northside (Warner Robins) 42, #7 Warner Robins 14.

This will be, yet another, walk in the park against a top ten team (remember, Flowery Branch? :-) ). The Demons simply lack the coaching staff to match the preparation of Kevin Kinsler, who is STILL undefeated in regular season games as a head coach. It is completely amazing that Coach Kinsler is 28-0 as a high school head football coach in the regular season.

Tiger4Life

October 30th, 2012
11:10 am

@uncle J.

Height is the only thing that held him back?

Every College in America is looking for a athletic QB that can throw !!!

So what is Everett Golson doing at Notre Dame? 5′11 185 pounds

He’s just leading the Fighting Irish the # 4 ranked team in the Country on the field every week.

Tiger4Life

October 30th, 2012
11:25 am

I wish I could trust you, but the film and facts state otherwise :-(

rwdedalb

October 30th, 2012
12:26 pm

To everyone in 6A, please dont take Mays for granted they are for real.

rwdedalb

October 30th, 2012
12:28 pm

The quarterback for MLK wil get his biggest test when they play Tucker, I have seen several hot quarterbacks all of a sudden have bad game when facing the tigers.

@Cannon and Realistic Fan

October 30th, 2012
1:03 pm

have been a Raider fan for a long time and all season I have attended all the EP Raider games and I have been more than disappointed here are my reasons why.

1) NO INTENSITY!!!!! Our defense is really lacking intense hitting or movement to the ball with the exception of a couple namely #24 and #48. All the others are not even in the ready position and are caught on their heels constantly.
2) Why oh why is #30 NOT PLAYING DEFENSE? I understand him not being on the field the entire game since he is playing full back, and doing a great job, but good lord he is the BEST LINEBACKER on the team. WTH????????? He can even play safety. If the coach doesn’t start using him more we will not make it past the second round of play-off.
3) #15, the best quarterback to ever step foot into EPHS, is being underutilized which is doing nothing more than crippling the team. We have seen what folks have talked about for years of the greatness of this guy coupled with the players he has played with since grade school. But only on a hand full of occasions. The connection is there USE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4) NO DICIPLINE, NO DICIPLINE, NO DICIPLINE. I have very good friends that work for the school and they say the football players are no longer as respectful and the staff is having a hard time controlling some of them in the class room. The faculty may not have liked Reid but they knew he would never put up with ANY PLAYER acting out in the class room. This flows over to the field and is evident in the amount of penalties.

Just a few thoughts

NHS94

October 30th, 2012
1:26 pm

Wish I could be in Northside, GA for Spirit Week, but I WILL be down for the big game. I’m feeling the excitement like back in ‘88!! GO BIG BLUE!!!

RealisticFan

October 30th, 2012
4:39 pm

@EP Commenter

I really have to agree. It is such a shame also. This is a collection of talent rarely seen. Yes the team is not very deep and maybe the plan all along has been to get by where they can play second teamers all season and not over work or risk injury to the 5-7 guys that probably should be playing both ways. Maybe against Allatoona they will unleash the full capability of the beast. Yes it means playing 24, 48, 29, 30 and 15 both ways but when push comes to shove you have to play your 11 best on each side of the ball, spell them for a down or series here and there but you’ve got to ride your best as long as you can and leave no bullets in the chamber.

dekalbcounty football

October 30th, 2012
4:39 pm

Tucker4Life – I know this not passing league. These games and stats COUNTS! I hope you are the DC or even assist with the defense schemes against MLK. This year we are more balance than ever before. See you at the game on Friday, good luck!

blu eagle

October 30th, 2012
4:41 pm

Go you hairy Eagles, people from all over the world will be pulling for you. Remember this is a rivalry game anything can happen, and usually does! Do not take W.robins lightly, just run your game plan and win baby win! History shows that you just never know in these games or playoff games, earn it.

Northside Dawg

October 30th, 2012
5:04 pm

I think the ‘75 Northside-Robins game was the best one that I ever attended. It had been several years since Northside had beaten the Demons. It seems like the rivalry meant more back then, although I could be wrong.

5AReg6Fan

October 30th, 2012
5:34 pm

@JAB – That’s why we fans of 5A regions 6 make claims that our region is TOP dog, due to the number of quality teams and each team will need to bring their best EVERY Friday Night. Oh, ask Stephenson Oct 19th. (LOL) Trust this MLK & Stephenson will not, I repeat will not, run this region year in and year out, just like Tucker will not…Dawg, you must have gotten hold of some of the Drinks you asked of swatguy. I know you are praying to the angles for the MLK upset of Tucker…3rd place just want be right, for your JAGS. (LOL). Lastly, I’m pretty comfortable with my taglines…watch it change as the Tigers march thru the playoffs, something the Jaguars haven’t seen in a LOOOONG WHILE.

“WE ARE TUCKER”

REGION 6, the best in GA 2012 5A Football……

uncleJunior

October 30th, 2012
5:40 pm

@ Tiger4Life. . .. . . . . I have to be honest with you and say, NO. His height might not have been the only thing that held him back. It might have been other intangibles also. But I have to say, with his arm and accuracy, he would have been sought after. He didn’t throw for all those yards by accident.

So, to answer your question: Was that the only thing (height) that kept him from being heavily recruited, probably not.

5AReg6Fan

October 30th, 2012
5:47 pm

@dekalbcounty football – I know there isn’t playoff for JV in DeKalb…DeKalb barely has JV football at all and we know the reason for this tragedy. Our dear Stephenson & MLK fans where commenting on the bright future for their teams, so I went to the Tucker High website and surprise…it seems like Tucker can make those same claims like our other region brethren. (LOL) The Tigers have been pretty good for a Long Time.

“WE ARE TUCKER”

REGION 6, the best in GA 2012 5A Football……

uncleJunior

October 30th, 2012
5:52 pm

Oh. And remember I said sought after!!!!!!!